The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Joseph Carlyle Hebert, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Bombing Plane in Torpedo Bombing Squadron NINETEEN (VTB-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 5 November 1944. Participating in a bold aerial strike against a heavy Japanese cruiser of the NACHI Class, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hebert pressed home a determined attack to an extremely close range and, despite intense anti-aircraft fire, scored a direct hit on the hostile ship. His airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.